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Saturday, May 7, 2011

500 Posts and a Giveaway!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and



especially to my beloved mother, who brought all 5 of us with lots of love and perseverance.
She will be 93 this coming July and still going strong. I hope I still have at least 20 more years with her.

Time flies especially when we are having fun. And I am having a lot of fun blogging.
I cannot believe I have reached my 500 posts. I think this is actually my 502nd post. I still remember when friends from RMS kept telling me to start a blog. I hesitated at first because I did not think I would have anything to post. I was in Florida a day after my daughter's wedding, sitting in my Florida home alone with nothing to do. That's when I gathered all my courage and started writing and uploading photos of the wedding. It's all been history from there. And of course, it would not be fun without any of you. Reading all your comments is such a joy. Everybody is so nice and kind and I love visiting your blogs too. I think I will be lost with you.


And so, to show my gratitude, I am having a giveaway. I hope you like them. I selected items that would not be too heavy to send out.


The winner will get


a magnolia painting that I did myself (so don't expect it to look like a pro did it, lol)


a basket that was made in the Philippines


a "Friends" picture frame


a vintage set of Sheffield pewter coffee pot (federal style?). It has a few dings but I think it is still cute and functional.


a rose brooch pin



If you want to have a chance to win, which is open to all my blogspot followers (old and new), just leave me a comment in this post. You do not have to have a blog to enter as long as you follow and post a comment. I should have a way to contact you though so I can get your address to ship the items to. Good luck!





I printed the first 3 months of my blog into a book. If you are interested in doing this, you can go to http://sharedbook.com/ to get more info.
I would have printed more but it only allows a maximum of 1500 photos per book. I ordered the first 3 months to see how I like it and I do like it very much so I will be ordering the next three months when I have time. I would like to have a complete library of it. You can pick your own cover. I thought my family would like to have it after I am gone. AJ saw it when she came for a visit and wanted it, lol.






Since this is a happy post, I would also like to share our birthday presents. As you know, John and I share the same birthday so unless we get struck with Alzheimer's disease, I don't think we will ever forget each other's birthday.

John gave me this sterling silver omega type swirly chain and pearl pendant. I love it!


I gave him a physicaan figure and a vintage doctor bag in alligator leather skin. I have been looking for one for quite sometime and I finally found one. He loves it! He said he has never owned one.



The figure is now sitting on his Asian file cabinet.


We bought ourselves a new Apple I pad 2. We will share it but the only time he wants to use it is when we are going somewhere and I am the one driving. He likes to use Google maps. So, I get to use more often, yippee!

We bought a smart leather cover for it from Apple. But I thought it wasn't enough because it only covers the front and the back is not protected. It's convenient though because it opens automatically when you flip the cover. I saw this case with a shoulder strap at Marshalls in Houston and got it. I really like it because it makes it so easy to carry it too. It fits right in it even with the top cover.




John also bought me a white gold emerald ring with diamonds. Diamond is our birthstone. I have rings with smaller emerald stones but I have been wanting to own an emerald solitaire and finally own one now. So needless to say, I LOVE IT!




I bought this emerald bracelet. It's only sterling silver because I cannot afford a white gold this thick but I think I can wear it to match the ring. It's my birthday gift to myself, lol.




Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you will leave a comment to get a chance to win the giveaway. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms again!

44 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, look at those beautiful birthday gifts. WOW! Everything is just gorgeous. Congratulations on 500 posts.
    What lovely gifts you are giving away.
    I love following you and so glad to have you as a blog friend. I was just reading a blog today and asked her where she made her books. I went over and worked on my first year book and I will also make my second year book. It was so much fun. Funny that you mentioned the same place today. Take care and God Bless.
    Love the picture of your mom with her children.

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  2. Happy Mother's Day to you,Christine, and your mother too! I just love the style of that necklace and the ring and bracelet are gorgeous too!

    Congrats on all creating 500+ posts! That's a big accomplishment! Your blog is wonderful, as usual!

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  3. Your family is "So Beautiful"...You Mom does NOT look like she is in her 90s. What a gem she is, she gave us "You"!!! "Happy Mother's Day to you AND your lovely Mom". and Happy birthday to you and your Hubby!!! I "LOVE" that you share your birthday! I would LOVE that! My two youngest sons are a day apart and we always had SO MUCH FUN with that. AND they are best friends to this day! I LOVE your book. and just think "It's a one of a kind"!
    PLEASE enter me for your "So Generous Giveaway". I love EVERYTHING! Thank you SO MUCH!
    Have a WONDERFUL Mother's Day weekend,
    Big Hugs to you,
    Donna

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  4. You and John always find the perfect gifts for each other. I love the pearl and silver necklace-so striking.Your mom is young looking for her age-she probably will be here in 20 years! I have been contemplating doing a blog book, yours looks good, so I think I will make one too. Wow great give away, I love your painting- I so need it for my collection!

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  5. Christine someone would be honored to win your painting!! Please enter me~~

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  6. What a beautiful family picture Christine! Have a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow, Martina

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  7. What a sweet giveaway you are having! Your painting is special...who wouldn't want it?!! I love your birthday gifts to each other...the bag is awesome and how neat to have an IPad!! I'd love one!

    I am in love with your beautiful ring, Christine...what a treasure for sure! You are a lucky lady! The bracelet is gorgeous, too!

    I wish you a wonderful Mother's Day, sweet lady! Hope you get to spend it with your lovely children, if not, hope you see them see them soon!

    XO,
    Janie

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  8. Hi there! Happy Mother's Day to you and to your lovely mother.

    I read so many blogs I don't have time to leave a comment on each of them ... I always enjoy peeking into your world ~ there is something wonderful happening every time I visit.

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  9. Sweet family picture! What a wonderful giveaway, I am a follower already and would love to win and your painting looks amazing! Happy Birthday and hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  10. Your painting is gorgeous! Thank you SO SO SO much for posting that information about turning a blog into a book. I saw it somewhere over a year ago and have not been able to find it again since!! Have a wonderful weekend!

    Sarah

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  11. Wow, such nice gifts to one another. I think it must be wonderful to share a birthday with your husband.

    I like the picture of you and your siblings with your mom, happy Mother's Day to you and to her. You are so blessed.

    I am going to look into the blog book, and of course I would be honored to hang your beautiful painting up in my home, sign me up!

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  12. I loved seeing your family picture Christine!

    I've always wondered about the blog books. Yours is beautiful!

    Lovely gifts you two gave each other.

    Your magnolia is gorgeous. I would be honored to receive it!

    Happy Mother's Day!

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  13. Happy Mother's Day Christine to you and your sweet Mom!
    Congrats on 500 post! Wow, this in an awesome giveaway!

    Enjoy your day!
    Xoxo
    Charo

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  14. Happy Mother's Day Chrisine! What a wonderful giveaway,. If I recall correctly, I remember you showing us your beautiful painting last year. And it is still just as lovely! You and John exchanged wonderful gifts! Your jewelry is gorgeous!

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  15. Congratulations on 500 posts! Your painting alone would be a treasure to win. It looks as if you have some beautiful and fun new things at your house...enjoy them all! Happy Mother's Day.

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  16. I am very impressed with your Blog Book! What a terrific idea! I can have this done here too...when I have at least 100, posts though! hahahaaa...Congrats sweetie, you have at least 1 million posts to go for yet!!! Your painting is beautiful and so is your jewelry. Thank you for your give away, you're very generous. I feel the same way about you all, some more, a special feeling as if I had been friends for ever! You've made my life so happy for 7 months now, since my daughter Alexandra said: "mom, blog and show you tables and decoration, you're so into this, it'll be great for you to have a blog"! I said...alright!, it's been the best decition, ever! All my love and Happy Mom's Day, along with such lovely family!
    Love
    FABBY

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  17. Oh Christine Sweetie...
    Happy Mother's Day. I hope you had a beautiful day sweet friend.

    What a beautiful share. I love, love this silver set. Oh what a treasure it would be. I have always wanted one. I can think of so many places that it would sit. It is beautiful.

    What a wonderful job you did painting this picture. I am doing my bedroom in blue and brown, and how refreshing it would be to see your painting in there. It is peaceful sweet friend, so peaceful.

    Love the gifts you received. Your ring is SO beautiful. I also love the Dr. bag that you purchased for John. I can see why he loved it so much.

    Hope you have a wonderful week sweet friend. I would be so honored if you added my name to the giveaway. What a treasure for one lucky gal. Have a glorious evening sweetie. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

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  18. I want to win so bad! Great give-away Christine and you are a very talented artist!
    I love your family pics too, they are just wonderful!
    Cindy

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  19. Your family pic is very nice and it looks like you had a great B-Day! What a fun give-away Christine! Happy Mother's Day:@)

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  20. Christine,
    Hello!! Happy mother's Day to you!! I hope I am not too late in entering your giveaway but I just saw it as i was getting ready for work!! Congrats on 500!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  21. Well, would you look at all those wonderful treasures! I love the blog book. I have thought of printing out some of mine. I'm just a natural procrastinator.

    Congratulations on over 500 posts. WOW!

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  22. Happy birthday. Love that ring!

    - The Tablescaper

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  23. What a great idea putting the books together! Even if I just did the tables. that would be fun. Thanks for sharing that tip. Your ring, well, I'm swooning. How fun to find the dr's bag for your husband. Yeah, you will love that IPad.. thanks for such nice giveaway! and Congrats on 500 posts Christine, that is dedication on your part and pure joy on ours. I wish you many more happy years with your Mom, she certainly looks quite young!

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  24. Hi Christine! Why didn't I see your giveaway! Oh, yes, ma'am, please sign me up!! The painting is beautiful.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  25. Love the jewelry! It's so pretty. The magnolia you painted is so pretty! I'd love to win!!

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  26. Wow, I hope my mom reaches 93, too, and many more. You've got lots of beautiful giveaway items so winning any of those will make me happy :) Congrats on more than 500 beautiful posts.

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  27. Oi Cristine! Lindo quadro de família! Parabéns!
    Gosto muito de visitar o seu blog. Desejo a você uma semana muito abençoada. Beijinho.

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  28. Hi Christine,
    What a wonderful giveaway! I would love to win! I love emeralds too! Emeralds and diamonds are my favourites.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  29. How generous you are for giving your readers a treat like this. Looking at your family photo makes me think you are a Filipino but I am not sure because you have a different eyes hehehe. I am curious. Belated happy mother's day and thank you for inviting me to join your giveaway.

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  30. Hi Christine, Congratulations on over 500 posts. I liked reading how you started blogging. My friend Beverly at How Sweet the Sound, helped me start my blog. I love blogging.
    Your giveaway is awesome and I would like to be entered in the drawing. The giveaway is lovely. Thank you for the chance to win.

    Thank you too for your visit and birthday wishes for my dh.

    I loved your family photo and I know you had a happy Mother's Day.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  31. Hi Christine,
    Congratulations on over 500 posts.
    And you are giving away all those presents?
    Oh my, is it too late to sign up for it?

    You have a beautiful family! And your mom is so good looking for being in her 90's. You get your good looks from her.

    Following your blog weekly makes me so happy, your collection of dishes is to die for! I've never known anyone with that many different dishes, you put Tiffany to shame.

    And what a coincidence to have your initials be the same as Catherine and Williams and on your birthdays at that! I would have sent for the darn commemorative china as well.

    Not only do I get to see your beautiful house, your furnishings,yoru endless collection of China, your lovely garden and pool, I even get to know your family. Try finding a
    magazine that has all of that. Christine, YOU ROCK!

    Wishing you well,
    Nenette West

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  32. Christine, I think your mom is just the cutest thing! I love your birthday gifts....what a pretty necklace....your man has great taste :)
    Thanks for hosting a give away, I'd love a chance to win and congrats on your 500+ posts!!!!

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  33. Hello Christine,
    Congratulations to you for all the wonderful events: having such a charming family, having birthday and your wonderful 500 blogposts. Whow, thats a lot of reasons to party. Your giveaway look so tempting, I would love to win it. Thank you for introducing us with the possibility to print the blog as a book. What an amazing idea.
    The birthday gifts look so sweet, one can see the love you share together. Have a wonderful week.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  34. Wow! 500 posts! Love visiting your blog. Please put my name in for the give away. Oh, how I would love the painting by you. . . and everthing else! You keep blogging. It is so fun to visit you. Hugs, Karie

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  35. Christine that's a LOT of blog posts! Wow! You ARE the energizer bunny as always *winks*
    Pick me pick me! LOL!
    The blog book is a really great idea!! I love that!
    Gorgeous necklace ring and bracelet! Love the Dr's bag in croc. And I never noticed it before but I have almost the same little girl reading bust, only mine is in alabaster *wink* Vanna

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  36. Wow, love those gifts. The statue for John is great, and the jewelry, beautiful!
    Congrats on 500 posts. It will be years before I get there, I am a quiet gal! :)

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  37. O, what beautiful gifts to each other. I love them every one.
    Congratulations on the 500 posts. The wonderful thing is that all your posts are full of pretty photos and interesting things you say. I know your book is lovely.
    PLEASE add my tiny name to your long list for your generous giveaway. I would be so thrilled to have a painting you did, hanging in my little cottage. That would be the coolest thing.
    Hugs, bj

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  38. YOWLSER!,yes please count me in on the giveaway,WOW,I sure hope I win!..This awesome giveaway what nice treasures.
    And congrats on 500+post,you and your blog is so much fun.
    I really love the painting!
    I've been happy follower for sometime,and lovin' every minute.
    ~JO
    LazyonLoblolly

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  39. Christine, Your mom looks amazing for her age! I hope you have many more years with her. You and John received fantabulous gifts from each other. Congratulations on your 500+ posts milestone. You are being too modest when you say your painting is not "professional." It is gorgeous! The entire package is extremely generous. Would love to be entered. :-) Sue

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  40. Christine, What a beautiful family you have. Your Mom looks wonderfully young and that is such a precious picture.
    Thank you for remembering us with such a thoughtful giveaway. The magnolia painting would go beautifully in my home especially because you are the artist. I think it looks very professional.
    What lovely gifts you have given one another. I appears that you are both in tune to what pleases the other. The emerald ring is to die for. Such a loving couple you are. Thanks for the reminder. Hugs, Ginger :)

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  41. What a beautiful family girl! Oh my word I can't believe how young your mama looks at 93...what kind of 'night cream' is she wearing to bed each night! lol Congrats on your 500th post girl...fantastic gifts...that painting is beautiful and I love the little pewter set...Happy belated birthday to you and hubby...lordy girl that gorgeous ring would have to be my birthday ...anniversary...Christmas..Valentine's...Mother's Day and Jack Frost day if there is such a thing!!!! lol lol
    Throw my name in the pot for sure...take care sweetie...Picket

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  42. Hi lovely lady. The Emerald Ring is to die for so Beautiful!!!! Congrats on your 500th post sweet lady. I hope you have a Great Day with your lovely family.xxoo
    Diane

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  43. Hi Christine! Congrats on the over 500 posts! Blogging is so much fun, and I too was encouraged from some RMS friends. What a lovely giveaway, I would love to be included. Sorry about my comment thinking it was you Moms birthday..I have major clean up going on around my house today and am a bit distracted.

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  44. Hi Christine,
    Your giveaway is beautiful and generous! I'd love to participate if it is still open.
    Happy Birthday to you and John!
    Your ring is gorgeous!

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